Trying to decide between Zepbound and Wegovy? You’re not alone. These two medications have been making waves in the world of weight loss, but figuring out which one is the better fit isn’t always straightforward. While both can deliver impressive results, they aren’t identical — and the differences could have a big impact on your experience. Factors like your health history, your budget, and even your lifestyle can all play a role in which option makes the most sense for you. Before you choose, here’s what you need to know about Zepbound vs. Wegovy.
Zepbound vs. Wegovy: What are they and how do they work?
At first glance, Zepbound and Wegovy seem pretty similar—they’re both medications designed to support weight loss, and both belong to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. But there’s more to the story than just a shared category.
Wegovy is made by Novo Nordisk and contains the active ingredient semaglutide. It works by mimicking a natural hormone that helps regulate appetite, blood sugar, and digestion. By slowing down how quickly your stomach empties and by signaling to your brain that you’re full, Wegovy helps reduce hunger and makes it easier to eat less.
Zepbound, on the other hand, is made by Eli Lilly and contains tirzepatide. While it also mimics GLP-1, Zepbound goes a step further by activating a second hormone called GIP, which plays a role in how your body manages blood sugar and stores fat. GIP can improve how your body breaks down nutrients, which may enhance the way your body burns calories and stores energy. This dual-action approach is designed to enhance appetite control while also improving how your body handles blood sugar and fat storage.
In simpler terms, both medications help you feel full faster and stay full longer — but Zepbound adds an extra layer of support that may give some people an edge when it comes to weight loss. Which one works better for you may come down to how your body responds to those different mechanisms.
Zepbound vs. Wegovy: Which one helps you lose more weight?
Both Zepbound and Wegovy can deliver impressive results, but Zepbound’s dual-action mechanism may give it the upper hand.
In clinical trials, people taking Wegovy lost about 15% of their body weight over roughly 16 months. That’s no small feat, and for many people, those results are life-changing. But Zepbound’s numbers are even more striking. In similar studies, patients on the highest dose of Zepbound lost an average of 20% of their body weight in the same timeframe.
Does that mean Zepbound is automatically better? Not necessarily. Weight loss medications don’t work the same way for everyone, and some people may respond better to Wegovy vs. Zepbound — even if the overall data leans in Zepbound’s favor. Side effects, your personal health history, and even how well you stick to your medication schedule can all influence your results.
The takeaway? Zepbound may have the edge on paper, but in real life rather than a lab, the topic isn’t so cut-and-dried.
Zepbound vs. Wegovy: What about side effects?
Neither Zepbound nor Wegovy comes without a few bumps in the road — and for most people, those bumps hit your stomach first. Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and that general “ugh” feeling are all common with both medications, especially in the early weeks or when you up your dose.
But here’s where things get interesting: some people actually find that they feel better on Zepbound vs. Wegovy, while others have the exact opposite experience. That’s because Zepbound’s dual-action mechanism — where it mimics both GLP-1 and GIP — can sometimes stir things up a little more at first. On the flip side, GIP also plays a role in digestion and fat metabolism, which might explain why some people actually feel better on Zepbound once their body adjusts.
Both medications can also leave you feeling unusually tired, a bit lightheaded, or just “off” for a while. For most people, these side effects get better with time — but if they don’t, that’s something you’ll want to talk to your doctor about.
At the end of the day, neither Zepbound nor Wegovy is guaranteed to be the easier ride — it’s all about how your body handles it. If one leaves you feeling wiped out while the other feels like smooth sailing, that alone could make the decision for you.
Zepbound vs. Wegovy: Which one costs more?
Neither Zepbound nor Wegovy is exactly budget-friendly — but depending on your insurance and your situation, one might hit your wallet harder than the other.
Wegovy’s list price sits at around $1,350 a month, and unless your insurance covers weight-loss medications, that cost is yours to shoulder. Zepbound’s sticker price is a little lower — about $1,060 per month — but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s automatically the cheaper option. Coverage plays a huge role here. Insurance coverage (or the lack of it) can change the math fast.
Here’s where things get tricky: manufacturer savings programs. Eli Lilly, the maker of Zepbound, offers a savings card that can drop the price significantly — sometimes as low as $25 a month — but only if your insurance covers at least part of the cost. If your insurance doesn’t cover Zepbound at all, the savings card won’t help you.
Wegovy has a savings program too, but it’s known for being harder to qualify for. Fewer people meet the criteria, and even if you do, the savings may not be as dramatic as what’s available with Zepbound.
So how do you know if you qualify? In most cases, you’ll need:
- Commercial insurance that covers the medication — even if your copay is sky-high. These programs usually won’t apply if you’re uninsured or on Medicare/Medicaid.
- A qualifying diagnosis, like obesity or a BMI above a certain threshold.
- A prescription from a healthcare provider.
The bottom line? When it comes to Zepbound vs. Wegovy, the “cheaper” option isn’t always obvious. It depends on your insurance, whether you qualify for savings programs, and just how much fine print you’re willing to sift through. Before you make a decision, it’s worth asking your doctor, your pharmacist, and your insurance provider to get a clear picture of what each one will really cost you.
Zepbound vs. Wegovy: Which one’s easier to get?
Even if you’ve settled on the medication that seems like the best fit, there’s one more hurdle to clear — actually getting your hands on it. And lately, that’s been easier said than done.
Wegovy has faced ongoing shortages since it hit the market, thanks to overwhelming demand. That means patients have frequently run into delays, backorders, and pharmacy mix-ups that leave them scrambling to stay on schedule. For a medication that’s meant to be taken consistently, those interruptions can be frustrating — and potentially disruptive to your progress.
Zepbound, on the other hand, is newer to the scene, and for now, it’s been easier to find. But that may not last forever. As demand grows, there’s always a risk that Zepbound could face the same supply issues Wegovy has struggled with.
The best move? If you’re starting one of these medications, it’s worth talking to your doctor or pharmacist about potential supply issues ahead of time. They may be able to recommend a reliable pharmacy, help you time your refills to avoid gaps, or even suggest a backup plan in case your usual dose isn’t available.
In the battle of Zepbound vs. Wegovy, the one you can actually get when you need it might end up being the best choice of all.
Zepbound vs. Wegovy: Which one’s the smarter choice?
So where does that leave you? If you’re weighing Zepbound vs. Wegovy, the best option isn’t necessarily the one with the highest success rate or the lowest sticker price — it’s the one that fits your life.
If you’re looking for a medication that offers the strongest weight loss results and your insurance is willing to play along, Zepbound might be the better pick. But if you’ve struggled with side effects before or worry about future supply issues, Wegovy could still be the safer bet.
The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Both medications can be powerful tools for weight loss, but your health history, your budget, and even your ability to stay consistent with treatment can all influence which one works best for you. Before you decide, talk to your doctor about your options — and don’t forget to ask about cost, savings programs, and what to expect if shortages hit.
The right medication isn’t just the one that works — it’s the one you can actually stick with long enough to see results. Learn more about Claya’s weight loss treatment programs for medically supervised weight loss.
